Sighting: Black Headed Gull (first winter)

My blog has been rather neglected in recent weeks, with lots of half written adventures and a pile of unedited photos still waiting to be looked at. Today I resisted the urge to head out under yet another brilliant blue sky and instead finally sort through several weeks of accumulated images… It was back at…

Winter waders

Winter is a great time to see migrant birds here on the coast of Aberystwyth. Birds such as turnstones who arrive here from their homes in the northern Canada and Greenland, to enjoy the relative warmth of our shores until spring returns to the Arctic Circle. A turnstone in winter/non-breeding plumage I don’t have to…

Aftermath

WARNING: Graphic content As storm ciara swept across the UK, bringing with her gale force winds and lashing rain we at least were able to cosy up indoors in safety and warmth. But spare a thought for all the wildlife who had no choice but to tough it out and battle the conditions. As the…

Herring gulls: Villain or victim?

A few weeks ago I rescued a herring gull chick from the pavement in Aberystwyth, after it fell from it’s nest unable to fly. Unfortunately the fall had resulted in a broken leg and this was so badly damaged there was nothing that could be done but to take the bird to a vet and…

Turn of the tide

As the tide retreats twice a day here in the Aberystwyth harbour, a small expanse of mud flat is revealed, attracting a variety of bird species to this rich feeding ground. One of the most frequent visitors are the Turnstones, small stocky wading birds found all across the Uk coastline during the winter months. There…

Young gulls

It is nearing the end of summer, and for most birds the breeding season is over for another year. For the Herring Gulls though, their work isn’t over just yet. The gulls begin nesting from late May onward and usually lay a clutch of around 3 eggs. Chicks remain in the nest for up to 40-50…

Sighting: Ringed Plover

Winter always attracts waders back to the coast and here in Aberystwyth the low tide mud flats are a magnet for a variety of these birds. Most commonly seen are the turnstones named for their behaviour of turning over rocks to look for invertebrates beneath. Also a fairly regular sight are the purple sandpipers, although I am…

Sighting: Purple Sandpipers

Whilst it feels bitterly cold outside to us, our winters are relatively mild compared to much of the northern hemisphere. It is this comparative warmth and lack of snow which attracts many winter migrants to the UK. One such bird is the purple sandpiper, escaping the freezing temperatures of it’s home up in the arctic…